Favorite Schools

Favorite Teams

Greater New Orleans

Change Region

comments

New Orleans Saints' Will Smith release appears imminent, but nothing official Wednesday

Will Smith & Roman Harper: Oakland Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints linebacker Will Smith (91) and strong safety Roman Harper (41) during the preseason game between the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Friday, August 16, 2013. (Michael DeMocker, Nola.com / The Times-Picayune)
(Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

There have been several reports that the New Orleans Saints were ready to release defensive end/linebacker Will Smith as early as Wednesday, but there were no Saints moves on the league's transaction wire Wednesday afternoon.

Releasing players like Smith or safety Roman Harper seem like a no-brainer as the Saints need to clear salary cap space by the start of free agency, which opens March 11. The Saints sit at least $12 million over the projected 2014 salary cap of $126 million.

By cutting Smith and Harper, the Saints would save about $14.7 million in
2014, which will put New Orleans right around the projected cap
ceiling. Releasing Smith would save the team $11.55 million, while cutting Harper would save $3.2 million in 2014 and $3.5 million for 2015's salary cap.